The Potter

"Yet You  Lord, are our Father. We are the clay. You are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8

My family just returned from a trip to Branson. MO. What I found there was not anything like I expected. Our first stop was Silver Dollar City. I had been there as a kid with my parents. Back when all that was in Branson was Shepherd of the Hills, Silver Dollar City and Baldknobbers.

This trip it was one of the coldest days in Branson for 2 years. This ended up being a real blessing. God works things in incredible ways. Because it was so cold we made our way around the park jumping into doors of the shops as we went along. My 3 kids and their guest stuck close by instead of the usual run amok in amusement parks. We darted into the area that held inspirational paintings. Within 10 minutes we had heard the gospel story told through the paintings loud and clear. I didn't even know places like this existed in modern America. I also noticed how no one was in a hurry. I noticed this because it began to irritate me. I had to admit, my upper midwest impatience was showing. Over the few days I was there I had to make a point of appreciating that these people took their time giving directions, asking about the weather, answering any questions we had. I need to learn patience.

A very good production of a musical version of "It's a Wonderful Life" entertained us and as we left the theater the sun was going down. We could see the thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights that decorated every building, sign, fence, bench, etc, etc. It was absolutely beautiful. I think it was even more impressive since we went in the theater in the daylight and left in the dark. Of course, the temperature had dropped several more degrees.

Just as we were about to head for the parking lot due to the cold temps we popped into the pottery shop. A sign indicated a demo in 5 minutes. We stuck around and a small older gentleman with a beard and long hair ( I think it is a requirement to work there) came out and gathered his supplies for throwing a pot. He really appeared to be a gentle man. No fanfare as the crowd gathered and he explained what he was going to make with a soft voice. A pie plate. He usually fashioned his based on the the kind his mother had. I am loving this! What a way of life. Quiet. Methodic, Stress-free.  As his fingers moved up to make the walls of the plate, I looked over and my 21 yr old son was grinning with mouth open wide in amazement. It was so fun to see him so impressed with this guys skill. 

No Christian could watch this demo and not think of the Potter and His Clay. The Silver Dollar City potter's first attempt had a slow start as the clump of clay sped off the side of the wheel. He explained that he hadn't slapped it onto the wheel hard enough to make it stick. Make what doctrine jumps you want here. I am not going to touch that. As he worked the clay he had to add alot of water to keep it pliable. I have read that the water could be like the Word of God. We need to add more if we are to be shaped into the product God wants us to be. His hands had more strength than I think it appeared. The Potter also controlled the speed of the wheel as he worked. The Potter controlled almost every aspect of this process. The clay had to remain pliable and able to be changed.

An audience member asked the potter if this was as easy as it looked. The potter said that people often remark that this must take alot of patience. He said he started as an 18 yr old and like most 18 yr olds he had very little patience. He then made a comment that I thought was incredibly insightful.He said, " I didn't have much patience. I just started doing pottery and before I knew it,  patience kind of just snuck up on me. I had learned patience." I don't know why that struck me but it did. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. If we train at something, God will grant us the gift we seek. This potter had become the clay for the Potter.